Glasgow, UK

UNESCO City of Music

• © City of Glasgow

Glasgow was named UNESCO City of Music in August 2008.

“Europe’s Secret Capital of Music” – TIME MAGAZINE

Glasgow’s legendary music scene stretches across the whole spectrum from contemporary and classical to Celtic and Country. Its venues are equally varied and include King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (consistently voted the top live music venue in the UK), the Barrowlands, O2 Academy, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow Royal Concert Halls and many pub and clubs throughout the city.

Glasgow is home to four of the five National Companies (including Scottish Opera and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) alongside other national organisations including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scotland, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD) and the Scottish ensemble.

Among the musicians/bands hailing from the city are: Franz Ferdinand, the Fratellis, Snow Patrol, Travis, Teenage Fanclub, Belle and Sebastian and Glasvegas. DJ’s such as Naeem, Paul N’Jie, Ray Woods, Kash and Gavin Sommerville have pushed the urban sound for years and opened Glaswegian ears to the possibilities of the genre.

The city hosts an average of 130 music events each week (more than any other Scottish city) and it is estimated that music businesses generated some £75 million a year for Glasgow’s economy.

More information:

• City Profile: Glasgow, UNESCO city of Music (PDF)
• 10 things to know about Glasgow, UNESCO city of Music (PDF)

External link:

• Glasgow City of Music